After a business meeting while in New York City the other day, I met my family for lunch, and of course the kids wanted pizza. We had went to Angelo's Pizza (1697 Broadway bet. 53rd & 54th Street, review to come) last time, so we decided to try someplace new. Well, actually new to us, as Serafina has been around a while and I have been meaning to try it. This location is called Serafina Broadway on its website, and Serafina at the Dream (hotel) on its door, awnings and menu. It is located at 210 West 55th St. NYC 10019 Tel: 212 315 1700.

I have always heard good things about Serafina and have watched them open several locations. I knew, in the back of my mind, that this was an "adult" restaurant, but wasn't thinking about that when we arrived, 3 adults, 2 kids. The hostess gave us what the Pizza Expert refers to as "The Boca Stare" and looked us up and down. It was very uncomfortable. Then she escorted us to our table; wait, this isn't our table, it is a couch in the waiting area. We were told, in no uncertain terms, to sit. As unfriendly as she was, the manager who showed us to our table a few moments later was downright charming and completely negated any negative feeling I got from the hostess.  Similarly, the waiter was friendly, efficient and personable.

We ordered a few appetizers (fair) and a plain pizza for me to share with the kids. Umm, what's this? Olives? On a plain pizza? Well, since I asked them to not use a lot of whole basil leaves, the chef had to garnish the pizza with some olives. Not cool when dining with kids. And the olives had pits!!! How are you supposed to eat a pizza with whole olives with pits? The pizza was drippy, and the cheese slipped right off my son's slice. To be fair, he hasn't perfected the NY fold and hold, but the cheese shouldn't be so droopy.

So this is an interesting place. The room was gorgeous, and the location couldn't be beat. But the food is just OK. And the pizza at Serafina could be better. The service was great, except the hostess. Would I go back? I don't know. I didn't hate it, but I didn't love it. And certainly I would hope a visitor to New York staying at the hotel shouldn't eat there more than once, at least in my opinion.

I give Serafina in the Dream Hotel NYC 4 slices out of 8.